Following Fred Sanford's departure after the 1980 season, Hardimon became Director of Percussion for the Santa Clara Vanguard from 1981 (1981) through 1990 (1990). During this time, SCV won four High Percussion awards (1978, 1979, 1988, 1989) and three DCI World Championships. Hardimon served as a consultant for SCV from 1997-2000. He has scored music for many other corps (including Blue Knights from 1990-2001) as well as college percussion ensembles and marching bands. He has worked for Disney and bowl games such as the Citrus Bowl, Orange Bowl, and Super Bowl.

Hardimon received Grammy nominations for Jazz and Rhythm and Blues. He was inducted into the DCI hall of fame in 2000,[2] inducted into the Santa Clara Vanguard Hall of Fame in 2014,[3] and received the “Life Time Achievement Award” from Sabian Cymbals in 2005.[4][5]